With college application deadlines just around the corner, students frantically rush to submit their applications in hopes of securing a spot at their dream universities, though some already have set advantages over others without even knowing.
California Assembly Bill (AB) 1780 was signed into law on Sept. 30, 2024, making California the fifth state banning legacy admissions. This will impact the admission cycle for the class of 2026 while aiming to provide equal access to higher institutions. Private universities in California will be prohibited from giving preferred admission to legacies or those with university relations–such as a donor.
Legacy students are those who have siblings, parents or grandparents who attended the institution, while donors are students whose families donate money to support the school.
“[AB 1780] is important because … it’s unfair that some students get in if they’re not as academically strong or worthy of going to a school … when there are people who try really hard to get in, but can’t,” senior Julie Stein said.
Per the signed bill, private universities will be required to forward the Legislature Department of Justice information which reveals the admission rate of those who have an advantage in the admission cycle because of their pre-established ties.
“I am not a fan of legacy [admissions] as I do believe it is contrary to the concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as merit,” Director of the College & Career Center Joanne Lewis said.
“For larger, private universities I truly don’t think it’s going to have a major impact, although it certainly will have some impact on diversity,”
Numerous large private universities continue to be need-blind, though there still are many which factor financial need into a student’s admission.
Students confronted with financial barriers have a disadvantage when applying to private universities which may still consider this factor.
“Colleges are businesses and all businesses have a bottom line… alumni donate sometimes large sums of money to their alma mater in hopes that one day their student might get some sort of legacy preference in admission consideration,” Lewis said.
Though there are other factors in admissions which give certain applicants advantages over others, this new bill will ensure that all applicants receive equal opportunity to education.
“This bill is absolutely important because it gives everybody a fair chance at education at a higher university,” senior Annika Gruettemann said.